JP2006189259A - Method and apparatus for detecting state of piping - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a piping state detecting method capable of efficiently processing data by enhancing the reliability of the data using a relatively simple constitution, and to provide a detector for state of piping. <P>SOLUTION: The abnormality of a piping system, including a plurality of the branched pipes 13 and 14 respectively connected to a liquid container 12 and the confluent piping 15 of them, is detected. The liquid in the liquid container 12 is sucked in the confluent piping 15 by the suction pump 11, the branched pipes 13 and 14 are controlled so as to be opened and closed by solenoid valves 16 and 17, the pressures in the branched pipes 13 and 14 are measured by pressure sensors 18 and 19, and abnormality of the piping system is decided on the basis of the output data of the pressure sensors 18 and 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a piping state detection method and apparatus for detecting a piping state of a cleaning device, that is, a clogging of a piping system, etc., particularly when cleaning a reaction vessel or the like used for analysis of a sample in an automatic analyzer or the like.

  This type of automatic analyzer includes a container cleaning device for cleaning a reaction container used for analyzing blood or the like. The reaction vessel can be washed in the course of being conveyed through a predetermined reaction line and reused for the next analysis.

  For example, in the nozzle clogging detection device described in Patent Document 1, the discharge pressure of cleaning water during nozzle cleaning is measured with a pressure measuring device provided in a dispensing flow path connecting the nozzle and the syringe, and this is amplified by a DC amplifier. Then, it is digitally converted by an A / D converter and input to a waveform analysis circuit. The waveform analysis circuit detects the negative pressure peak value and the residual pressure value from the discharge pressure waveform, and the CPU detects the clogging of the nozzle and determines its degree from these magnitudes.

  The container cleaning device described in Patent Document 2 operates after the cleaning liquid discharge valve operates based on the pressure sensor that detects the suction pressure of the suction nozzle, the control signal of the sensor liquid discharge valve, and the output signal of the pressure sensor. The time until the output signal reaches the peak is compared with a predetermined determination reference time to determine the suction abnormality.

  Further, in the blocking detection mechanism of the cleaning liquid suction nozzle described in Patent Document 3, two of each of the plurality of nozzles of the suction nozzle part are set as one set, and the negative pressure of each nozzle part is introduced into the differential pressure switch, With this switch, the piston moves to the right or left with a certain pressure difference or more and the optical axis of the transmissive photoelectric switch is shielded, and the movement of one or more pistons is detected to control the fluid system by system. It is possible.

JP-A-6-109745 JP-A-6-265558 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-94767

  However, in the conventional analyzer using, for example, an overflow cell, since the abnormality detection of the nozzle cleaning waste liquid system itself is not performed, the reliability of the analysis data due to the trouble of the cleaning system may be a problem. That is, even if the cleaning operation is confirmed at the time of starting up the apparatus, no abnormality is detected in the analysis process.

  Even if detection is to be performed, it is not practical to use a commercially available expensive flow meter for each of the plurality of piping systems. Furthermore, in the detection method using light, there is a problem that the pipe needs to be transparent, or cannot be accurately detected if the pipe system becomes dirty.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a piping state detection method and apparatus that can increase the reliability of data with a relatively simple configuration and can efficiently process the data.

  The pipe state detection method according to the present invention is a pipe state detection method for detecting an abnormality of a pipe system including a plurality of branch pipes connected to a liquid container and their joint pipes, and a suction pump is used in the joint pipe. And the opening / closing control of each branch pipe, the pressure of each branch pipe before and after the suction is measured, and the abnormality of the pipe system is detected based on the pressure fluctuation state.

  In the pipe state detection method of the present invention, the pressure of a plurality of the branch pipes is measured, and any one of the branch pipes having a large pressure amplitude is determined to be abnormal.

  Further, in the pipe state detection method of the present invention, the pressure before and after the suction in each of the merged pipe and each of the plurality of branch pipes is measured, and abnormality of each branch pipe is determined based on each measured pressure value and the pressure fluctuation state thereof. It is characterized by determining.

  The pipe state detection method of the present invention is characterized in that an average value and an amplitude of each measured pressure value are obtained, and abnormality of each of the branch pipes is determined based on whether or not they are each a predetermined value or more.

  In the pipe state detection method of the present invention, an abnormality of the pipe system including the suction pump, an electromagnetic valve that controls opening and closing of each branch pipe, and a suction port is detected.

  The pipe state detection device according to the present invention is a pipe state detection device for detecting an abnormality of a pipe system including a plurality of branch pipes connected to a liquid container and their merging pipes. A suction pump for sucking the liquid in the liquid container, an on-off valve for controlling the opening and closing of each branch pipe, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in each branch pipe, and the piping system based on output data of the pressure sensor And determining means for determining the abnormality.

  The pipe state detection apparatus of the present invention further includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the merged pipe.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a piping trouble very easily by applying to this type of automatic analyzer. Thereby, the reliability of data can be improved without reducing the processing speed of the analyzer. Since the configuration of the apparatus is simple, it does not complicate existing equipment and is extremely advantageous in terms of cost.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a pipe state detection method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the apparatus of the present invention in this embodiment. Here, in the present embodiment, for example, the automatic analyzer includes a container cleaning device for cleaning the reaction container used for analyzing the specimen or the like. In this container cleaning apparatus, the reaction container is cleaned in the course of being conveyed through a predetermined reaction line or a predetermined reaction cell.

  That is, in FIG. 1, the reaction vessel 100 (container to be cleaned) used for analysis of a sample or the like by the automatic analyzer is cleaned by the cleaning liquid 102 supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 101 in the container cleaning apparatus. In this cleaning liquid supply system, the cleaning liquid 102 in the cleaning liquid tank 101 is discharged to the two reaction vessels 100 by the pump 103. In each of the pipes 104 and 105, electromagnetic valves 106 and 107 are disposed between the reaction vessel 100 and the pump 103 to control the supply of the cleaning liquid 102.

  After cleaning, the cleaning liquid accumulated in the reaction vessel 100 is drained through the cleaning liquid waste liquid system. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the pipe state detection device 10 of the present invention is applied, particularly in the cleaning liquid waste system, and the cleaning liquid in each reaction vessel 100 is sucked by the pump 11 and discharged into the waste liquid tank 12. Normally, in this type of cleaning apparatus, troubles such as clogging of piping are more likely to occur in a cleaning liquid waste liquid system in which impurities and the like are mixed than in a cleaning liquid supply system. Further, in this embodiment, the cleaning liquid waste liquid system is constituted by two branches, and the cleaning liquid of each reaction vessel 100 is waste liquid.

In this embodiment, the pipes (branch pipes) 13 and 14 respectively connected to each reaction vessel 100 are joined before the pump 11 to become a joining pipe 15. In each of the pipes 13 and 14, electromagnetic valves (SV ₁ and SV ₂ ) 16 and 17 are arranged between the reaction vessel 100 and the pipe branch point to control the suction of the cleaning liquid. Further, the pressure in each of the pipes 13 and 14 is detected by pressure sensors (P ₁ , P ₂ ) 18 and 19. A suction nozzle (not shown) is attached to the tip of each pipe 13, 14, and pressure sensors 18, 19 are disposed between each suction nozzle and the electromagnetic valves 16, 17.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. This automatic analyzer performs an analysis process on a sample or the like in the aforementioned reaction container 100 according to a predetermined sequence, and after the analysis, the reaction container 100 used for the process is washed. The output data of the pressure sensors 18 and 19 is sent to the determination circuit 108, particularly in the cleaning liquid waste system of the container cleaning device provided in the automatic analyzer, and the control unit 109 determines the piping state detection device 10 itself and the device based on the determination result. Drive control of the whole.

  In the automatic analyzer, output data from the sensors 110 necessary for the function is sent to the arithmetic / judgment circuit 111. The control unit 109 activates an alarm or the like at the output unit 113 as necessary based on the determination result or by the operation of the input operation unit 112. The control unit 109 also controls the operation of the pump 11 and the electromagnetic valves 16 and 17.

  In the first embodiment, the cleaning liquid 102 in the cleaning liquid tank 101 is discharged to the two reaction vessels 100 by the pump 103. Thereafter, by opening the solenoid valves 16 and 17 and operating the pump 11, the cleaning liquid accumulated in each reaction vessel 100 is sucked by the pump 11 and is discharged into the waste liquid tank 12. At this time, in the present invention, the pressure in each of the pipes 13 and 14 is detected by the pressure sensors 18 and 19 particularly before and after the suction by the pump 11. From these pressure data, an abnormality in the piping system is detected according to the pressure fluctuation state.

That is, when the two pipes 13 and 14 are provided as in the present embodiment, the pressure fluctuation amplitude of the pipe in which the pipe is clogged increases when the pressure before and after the suction is observed. For example, FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the state of the suction nozzles of the pipes 13 and 14 and the amplitude value of the pipe pressure. When the amplitudes of the pressures P ₁ and P ₂ before and after suction in the pipes 13 and 14 are substantially equal as in the pattern A, it is determined that the suction nozzles of the pipes 13 and 14 are both normal. In FIG. 3, “normal” is indicated by a circle, and “abnormal” is indicated by a cross.

On the other hand, when the amplitude of one of the pressures P ₁ and P ₂ is large before and after suction as in pattern B or pattern C, the suction nozzles of the pipes 13 and 14 having the larger amplitude are clogged. It is determined as abnormal. Further, when there is no change in the amplitudes of the pressures P ₁ and P ₂ before and after the suction as in the pattern D, both the suction nozzles of the pipes 13 and 14 are clogged, and it is determined as abnormal.

  In this way, by detecting the pressure in each of the pipes 13 and 14 within the analysis cycle time of the automatic analyzer, a pipe trouble can be detected very easily. Therefore, it is possible to improve data reliability without reducing the processing speed of the analyzer. Since the configuration of the apparatus is simple, it does not complicate existing equipment and is extremely advantageous in terms of cost.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for members that are substantially the same as or correspond to those in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the device of the present invention in the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, in the cleaning liquid waste system, the pipe state detection device 20 of the present invention is applied, and the cleaning liquid in each reaction vessel 100 is sucked by the pump 11 and discharged into the waste liquid tank 12.

In this embodiment, the pipes 13, 14, and 21 connected to the respective reaction vessels 100 join before the pump 11. In each of the pipes 13, 14, and 21, electromagnetic valves (SV ₁ , SV ₂ , SV ₃ ) 16, 17, and 22 are arranged between the reaction vessel 100 and the pipe branch point, and the suction of the cleaning liquid is controlled. ing. Further, the pressure in each of the pipes 13, 14, 21 is detected by pressure sensors (P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ ) 18, 19, 23. Further, the pressure in the junction pipe 15 is detected by _a pressure sensor (P _a ) 24.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the determination circuit (see FIG. 2) in the second embodiment. The output signals of the pressure sensors 18, 19, 23 and the pressure sensor 24 are once amplified by the amplifier 25 and input to the RMS circuit 26 and the full-wave rectifier circuit 27, respectively. Based on the output data of each pressure sensor 18, 19, 23, 24, the RMS circuit 26 calculates the average value (basic level pressure value) of each measured pressure value, and the full-wave rectifier circuit 27 calculates the pressure fluctuation amplitude. To do.

Further, the output data of the RMS circuit 26 is compared with the reference value V _ref1 by the comparator 28, and a level detection signal as to whether or not it reaches a predetermined level (for example, atmospheric pressure) is obtained from the comparison result. Further, the output data of the full-wave rectifier circuit 27 is further compared with the reference value V _{ref2 by the} comparator 29, and an amplitude detection signal indicating whether or not the predetermined value has been reached is obtained from the comparison result.

  In the second embodiment, the cleaning liquid accumulated in each reaction vessel 100 is basically sucked by the pump 11 and discharged into the waste liquid tank 12 as in the case of the first embodiment. At that time, in the present invention, the pressure before and after the suction in the merging pipe 15 and each of the pipes 13, 14, 21 is measured, and the branch pipes 13, 14, 21, etc. are measured based on the measured pressure values and their pressure fluctuation states. Determine if there is an abnormality.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific operation of the pipe state detection method according to the second embodiment. First, in step S1, the pump 11 is stopped (OFF) by a control signal from the control unit (FIG. 2), and the solenoid valves 16, 17, and 22 are opened. Next, in step S2, based on the output signals of the pressure sensor 24 and the pressure sensors 18, 19, and 23, the pressure states of the merging pipe 15 and the pipes 13, 14, and 21 are determined. That is, if the pressure in these pipes is not atmospheric pressure and there is a pressure fluctuation (amplitude), there is a complex abnormality such as clogging in the suction nozzles of all the pipes 13, 14, and 21. Determined. On the other hand, if the pressure is atmospheric pressure and there is no amplitude, it is determined that the pressure is normal, and the pump 11 is activated (ON) in step S3.

  After the operation of the pump 11, the pressure state of the merging pipe 15 and the pipes 13, 14, 21 is determined based on the output signals of the pressure sensor 24 and the pressure sensors 18, 19, 23 in step S 4. That is, if the pressure of these pipes is not atmospheric pressure or if there is no predetermined pressure fluctuation in any of the pressure sensors 18, 19, 23, the pump is defective or the electromagnetic valves 16, 17, 22 corresponding to the sensors are opened. It is determined that an abnormality such as a defect or clogging of the suction nozzle or both of them has occurred.

  On the other hand, if the pressure of the merging pipe 15 and each of the pipes 13, 14, and 21 is atmospheric pressure and has an amplitude as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined that all pipe systems are normal. That is, at this time, the pipes 13, 14, and 21 in which the solenoid valves 16, 17, and 22 are opened are opened to the atmosphere, so that the pulsation during suction as shown in FIG. Occurs.

Next, a piping state is detected in order about three piping systems (n = 1-3). It is assumed that the operation is performed from the first piping system (n = 1) (step S5). In this case, first, the electromagnetic valves 16, 17, and 22 are closed in step S6. The process is repeated until n = 3 (step S7). In either case, the process waits for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second) in step S8, and in step S9, based on the output signals of the pressure sensor 24 and the pressure sensors 18, 19, and 23. The pressure state of the merging pipe 15 and the pipes 13, 14, and 21 is determined. That is, if the pressure signal 18 (P ₁ ) of the first piping system (n = 1) has an amplitude in its output signal, it is determined that the corresponding solenoid valve 16 is not closed properly.

  On the other hand, if the pressure of the merging pipe 15 is a predetermined negative pressure (for example, -70 kPa), there is no amplitude, the pressure of each pipe 13, 14, 21 is atmospheric pressure, and there is no amplitude, it is normal in all the piping systems. Determined.

Next, in step S10, the solenoid valve 16 (SV ₁ ) of the first piping system (n = 1) is opened, and in step S11, the pressure states of the pressure sensor 24 (P _a ) and the pressure sensor 18 (P ₁ ) are changed. Determined. That is, if the pressure sensor 24 and the pressure sensor 18 are at atmospheric pressure and there is no amplitude, it is determined that the suction nozzle of the pipe 13 which is the first pipe system is clogged.

  On the other hand, when the pressure of the merging pipe 15 and the pipe 13 is atmospheric pressure and has an amplitude, it is determined as normal. Thereafter, the solenoid valve 16 is closed, and then the determination of the pressure state of the second piping system (n = 2) and the third piping system (n = 3) is repeated in the same manner, and the process ends when n = 3. .

  Also in the second embodiment, the piping trouble can be detected very easily by detecting the pressure of the piping system within the cycle time of the analysis of the automatic analyzer. Since the location of defects in the equipment can be accurately identified, maintainability is improved, and it is possible to cope with slight additions without significantly changing the existing piping system, making effective use of the limited equipment space. It is extremely advantageous in terms of cost.

  Further, since the configuration is hardly affected by the piping system, it is easy to add control. Since trouble detection is possible in the middle of an analysis cycle, the reliability of the data of the analysis apparatus is improved, and as a result, there is an effect of increasing the operating rate.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with various embodiment, this invention is not limited only to these embodiment, A change etc. are possible within the scope of the present invention.
For example, although an example of a piping system having two or three branch pipes has been described, the present invention is similarly applied to a case of more branch pipes, and the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained. Moreover, although the example in the case of a washing | cleaning liquid was demonstrated, it can apply similarly also to the piping system which handles other various liquids.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part schematic structure of the automatic analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the piping state and piping pressure in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination circuit which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the waveform of the piping pressure in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20 Piping state detection device 11 Pump 12 Waste liquid tank 13, 14, 21 Branch pipe 15 Merge pipe 16, 17, 22 Solenoid valve 18, 19, 23, 24 Pressure sensor

Claims (7)

A pipe state detection method for detecting an abnormality in a piping system including a plurality of branch pipes connected to a liquid container and their combined pipes,
In addition to operating the suction pump in the merging pipe, controlling the opening and closing of each branch pipe, measuring the pressure of each branch pipe before and after suction, and detecting abnormalities in the piping system based on their pressure fluctuation state A characteristic pipe state detection method.   The pipe state detection method according to claim 1, wherein pressures of the plurality of branch pipes are measured, and any one of the branch pipes having a large pressure amplitude is determined to be abnormal.   The pressure before and after the suction in each of the merging pipe and each of the plurality of branch pipes is measured, and abnormality of each branch pipe is determined based on each measured pressure value and the pressure fluctuation state thereof. The piping state detection method described.   The pipe state detection method according to claim 3, wherein an average value and an amplitude of each measured pressure value are obtained, and abnormality of each branch pipe is determined based on whether or not each of them is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.   The pipe state detection method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an abnormality of the pipe system including the suction pump, an electromagnetic valve that controls opening and closing of each branch pipe, and a suction port is detected. A pipe state detection device for detecting an abnormality in a piping system including a plurality of branch pipes connected to a liquid container and their merging pipes,
A suction pump that sucks the liquid in the liquid container through the junction pipe, an on-off valve that controls opening and closing of each branch pipe, a pressure sensor that measures the pressure in each branch pipe, and output data of the pressure sensor And a determination means for determining abnormality of the piping system based on the above.   The pipe state detection device according to claim 6, further comprising a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the merging pipe.

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